Lessons in Gratitude

The Prodigal and the Elder Son

Are or or have you been doing everything you know to do? You are faithful, responsible, and trustworthy. You show up as a good steward over what has been entrusted to you.

And the one who strayed, the one who wandered away and squandered everything, who took advantage of what he had been given, comes home, crying and empty handed.

A celebration ensues!

You are thinking. “𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘦? 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩is 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳?”

The elder son who stayed and worked feeling jealous now. Perhaps he did not feel celebrated, accepted, and loved. He sees his brother- his long lost brother receive the blessings and a celebration. He feels left out.

What is the truth? There were blessings the elder son had all along but had failed to recognize. All his father had were already available and his.

Think about this. Maybe there is a little of the elder son and the prodigal in each of us at times. Perhaps there are blessings we have failed to recognize and embraced.

May we recognize the blessings we have and the generous mercy bestowed upon us every day! Let us all stop comparing and complaining! Let us submit to God and be cleansed of all bitterness, jealousy, and hate.

Realize all that the Father has given us, it is so much more than we know.

𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝟏𝟓:𝟏𝟏‑𝟑𝟐, the 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐧

Prayer:

Dear Creator God,

Please reveal any places in my heart where bitterness, jealousy, or rejection resides. Show me what I cannot see. Help me to truthfully examine myself, so that You may release healing and cleansing. Help me see all who You are to me and to be grateful each and every day. Help me know deeply Your love and acceptance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.